Collarbone | Definition of Collarbone by Merriam-Webster See words that rhyme with collarbone Spanish Central: Translation of collarbone Nglish: Translation of collarbone for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about collarbone Seen and Heard What made you want to look up collarbone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Broken Collarbone: Recovery Time, Symptoms & Surgery Patient Comment Read 1 Comment Share Your Story The clavicle (commonly referred to as the collarbone) is a bone found on both sides of the chest that connects the sternum or breastbone to both shoulders. A fractured clavicle is the medical term used when the collarbone is broken. A broken collarbone can be caused by trauma (sports injuries, car accidents, falls, etc.), genetically weak bones, or illness such as osteoporosis or cancer . The clavicle of a newborn may break during delivery. Symptoms of a fractured collarbone include a pop or click sound and feeling when the collarbone breaks, followed by sharp pain . The area will hurt when the arm is moved. The skin over the break may bulge outward, and there may be bruising.

A broken collarbone requires medical care and an X-ray of the clavicle is usually needed. You may be referred to an orthopedic specialist for treatment. Treatment for a broken collarbone usually requires a sling or figure-of-eight splint to keep the area immobile for several weeks. In some cases, surgery may be required. Most clavicle fractures heal within 4 to 8 weeks. Physical therapy may help with rehabilitation. What causes a broken collarbone? Some people can break their clavicle without any trauma. These people usually have weak bone structure either because they were born with it (genetic cause) or from an acquired cause (such as osteoporosis or cancer ). Newborns Occasionally during delivery of an otherwise healthy baby, the forces involved in trying to deliver the baby from the mother can break the collarbone. This is the most common bone broken in babies is during delivery. This is usually detected in the hospital, and the baby recovers well. Even more rarely, a physician may have to break the infant's collarbone in order to deliver the baby safely. This only occurs when a process known as shoulder dystocia develops. There are many other techniques available to overcome this, so it is rarely practiced today.

Children and adolescents The collarbone is the most commonly broken bone in childhood. These breaks are usually the result of falling directly on the shoulder or on an outstretched arm during play or sports. They can occasionally be the result of a direct blow to the collarbone, such as during tackling in football, or being crosschecked during hockey or lacrosse. Adults and the elderly Broken collarbones in adults can occur from the same sports activities that cause similar injuries in children but are usually associated with automobile accidents and falls. Occasionally, a patient that has a seizure will fracture the clavicle. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 10/14/2016 Medical Author: Collar bone - RightDiagnosis.com Collar bone Collar bone: bone linking the scapula and sternum. Source: WordNet 2.1 Collar bone as an Organ Collar bone (organ): Another name for Clavicle . Collar bone (organ): The clavicle is a long curved bone that helps to form the shoulder and the...

more » More information on organs: Clavicle : Terms associated with Collar bone: Terms Similar to Collar bone: Source - WordNet 2.1 Hierarchical classifications of Collar bone The following list attempts to classify Collar bone into categories where each line is subset of the next. WordNet 2.1 Search to find out more about Collar bone: Search Specialists by State and City By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use . Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use . Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone)-OrthoInfo - AAOS Copyright 2016 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone) A clavicle fracture is a break in the collarbone, one of the main bones in the shoulder. This type of fracture is fairly common—accounting for about 5 percent of all adult fractures.

Most clavicle fractures occur when a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone that it snaps or breaks. A broken collarbone can be very painful and can make it hard to move your arm. Most clavicle fractures can be treated by wearing a sling to keep the arm and shoulder from moving while the bone heals. With some clavicle fractures, however, the pieces of bone move far out of place when the injury occurs. For these more complicated fractures, surgery may be needed to realign the collarbone. Anatomy The clavicle is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula). It is the bone that connects the arm to the body. The clavicle lies above several important nerves and blood vessels. However, these vital structures are rarely injured when a fracture occurs. The clavicle is part of your shoulder and connects your arm to your ribcage. Reproduced and adapted from JF Sarwak, ed: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed. 4. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2010.

Top of page Description Clavicle fractures are fairly common and occur in people of all ages. Most fractures occur in the middle portion, or shaft, of the bone. Occasionally, the bone will break where it attaches at the ribcage or shoulder blade. Clavicle fractures vary. The bone can crack just slightly or break into many pieces (comminuted fracture). The broken pieces of bone may line up straight or may be far out of place (displaced fracture). This illustration shows a clavicle fracture close to where the bone attaches to the scapula (shoulder blade). Reproduced and adapted from Nuber GW, Bowen MK: Acromioclavicular joint injuries and distal clavicle fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1997; 5(1): 11-18. Top of page Cause Clavicle fractures are most often caused by a direct blow to the shoulder. This can happen during a fall onto the shoulder or a car collision. A fall onto an outstretched arm can also cause a clavicle fracture. In a baby, a clavicle fracture can occur during the passage through the birth canal.

Top of page Symptoms A clavicle fracture can be very painful and may make it hard to move your arm. Other signs and symptoms of a fracture may include: Sagging of the shoulder downward and forward Inability to lift the arm because of pain A grinding sensation when you try to raise the arm A deformity or "bump" over the break Bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness over the collarbone Doctor Examination Physical Examination Your doctor will want to know how the injury occurred and will ask about your symptoms. He or she will then carefully examine your shoulder. In a clavicle fracture, there is usually an obvious deformity, or "bump," at the fracture site. Gentle pressure over the break will bring about pain. Although it is rare for a bone fragment to break through the skin, it may push the skin into a "tent" formation. Your doctor will also perform tests to ensure that no nerves or blood vessels were damaged when the fracture occurred. In a clavicle fracture, the broken ends of the bone may cause tenting of the skin over the fracture site (arrow). Imaging Studies X-rays. X-rays provide images of dense structures, such as bone.

Your doctor will order an x-ray to help pinpoint the location of the fracture and to learn more about the severity of the break. He or she may also order x-rays of your entire shoulder to check for additional injuries. If other bones are broken, your doctor may order a computerized tomography (CT) scan to see the fractures in better detail. X-ray shows a fracture in the middle of the clavicle. Note how far out of place (displaced) the broken ends of the bone are. Treatment Nonsurgical Treatment If the broken ends of the bones have not significantly shifted out of place, you may not need surgery. Most broken collarbones can heal without surgery. Nonsurgical treatment may include: Arm support. A simple arm sling is usually used for comfort immediately after the break and to keep your arm and shoulder in position while the injury heals. Medication. Pain medication, including acetaminophen, can help relieve pain as the fracture heals. Physical therapy. Although there will be some pain, it is important to maintain arm motion to prevent stiffness. Often, patients will begin doing exercises for elbow motion immediately after the injury. After a clavicle fracture, it is common to lose some shoulder and arm strength.

Once the bone begins to heal, your pain will decrease and your doctor may start gentle shoulder exercises. These exercises will help prevent stiffness and weakness. More strenuous exercises will be started gradually once the fracture is completely healed. Follow-up care. You will need to see your doctor regularly until your fracture heals. During these visits, he or will take x-rays to make sure the bone is healing in a good position. After the bone has healed, you will be able to gradually return to your normal activities. Complications. In some cases, a clavicle fracture can move out of place before it heals. It is important to follow up with your doctor as scheduled to make sure the bone stays in position. If the fracture fragments do move out of place and the bones heal in that position, it is called a "malunion." Treatment for this is determined by how far out of place the bones are and how much this affects your arm movement. A large bump over the fracture site may develop as the fracture heals. This usually gets smaller over time, but a small bump may remain permanently. Surgical Treatment If the broken ends of the bones have significantly shifted out of place, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Surgery typically involves putting the broken pieces of bone back into position and preventing them from moving out of place until they are healed. This can improve shoulder strength when you have recovered. Open reduction and internal fixation. This is the procedure most often used to treat clavicle fractures. During the procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. The pieces of bone are then held in place with special metal hardware. Common methods of internal fixation include: Plates and screws. After being repositioned into their normal alignment, the bone fragments are held in place with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. After surgery, you may notice a small patch of numb skin below the incision. This numbness will become less noticeable with time. Because the clavicle lies directly under the skin, you may be able to feel the plate through your skin. Plates and screws are not routinely removed after the bone has healed, unless they are causing discomfort. Problems with the hardware are not common, but some patients find that seatbelts and backpacks can irritate the collarbone area. If this happens, the hardware can be removed after the fracture has healed.

(Left) X-ray shows a displaced clavicle fracture (arrow). (Right) The pieces of bone have been realigned and held in place with plates and screws. Pins or screws. Pins or screws can also be used to hold the fracture in good position after the bone ends have been put back in place. The incisions for pin or screw placement are usually smaller than those used for plates. Pins or screws often irritate the skin where they have been inserted and are usually removed once the fracture has healed. (Left) X-ray shows a severely displaced clavicle fracture (arrow). (Right) Here, a single screw has been used to repair the fracture. Reproduced from Eichinger JK, Balog TP, Grassbaugh JA: Intramedullary fixation of clavicle fractures: anatomy, indications, advantages, and disadvantages. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2016; 24(7): 455-464. Pain management. After surgery, you will feel some pain.This is a natural part of the healing process. Many patients find that using ice and simple, non-prescription medications for pain relief are all that is needed to relieve pain.

If your pain is severe, your doctor may suggest a prescription-strength medication, such as an opioid, for a few days. Be aware that although opioids help relieve pain after surgery, they are a narcotic and can be addictive. Opioid dependency and overdose has become a critical public health issue. For this reason, opioids are typically prescribed for a short period of time. It is important to use opioids only as directed by your doctor. As soon as your pain begins to improve, stop taking opioids. Rehabilitation. Specific exercises will help restore movement and strengthen your shoulder. Your doctor may provide you with a home therapy plan or suggest that you work with a physical therapist. Therapy programs typically start with gentle motion exercises. Your doctor will gradually add strengthening exercises to your program as your fracture heals. Although it is a slow process, following your physical therapy plan is an important factor in returning to all the activities you enjoy. Complications. There are risks associated with any type of surgery.

These include: Infection Damage to blood vessels or nerves Reaction to anesthesia Risks that are specific to surgery for clavicle fractures include: Difficulty with bone healing Lung injury Hardware irritation Patients who smoke or use tobacco products, have diabetes, or are elderly are at a higher risk for complications both during and after surgery. They are also more likely to have problems with wound and bone healing. Before your surgery, your doctor will discuss each of the risks with you and will take specific measures to avoid complications. Top of page Outcome Whether your treatment involves surgery or not, it can take several months for your collarbone to heal. Healing may take longer in diabetics or in people who smoke or use tobacco products. Most people return to their regular activities within 3 months of their injury. Your doctor will tell you when your injury is stable enough to do so. Returning to regular activities or lifting with your arm before your doctor advises may cause the fracture fragments to move or the hardware to break. This may require you to start your treatment from the beginning. Once your fracture has completely healed, you can safely return to sports activities.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor If you experience a clavicle fracture, here are some questions you may wish to ask your doctor: When can I start using my arm? When can I return to work? Do I have any specific risks for not doing well? If I have to have surgery, what are the risks and benefits and how long will I be in the hospital? What are the risks and benefits of nonsurgical treatment? Top of page For More Information If you found this article helpful, you may also be interested in Fractures (Broken Bones) Fractures (Broken Bones) (topic.cfm?topic=A00139). Anatomy of Clavicle- The Collar Bone | Bone and Spine You are here: Home / Anatomy / Anatomy of Clavicle- The Collar Bone Anatomy of Clavicle- The Collar Bone Published - By Dr Arun Pal Singh Last Edited Jul 1, 2016 @ 11:26 pm Clavicle Anatomy – Clavicle of right side viewed from below (left image) and from above(right image) The clavicle is a long bone that connects trunk with upper limb.

As viewed in the coronal plane , the clavicle is a slender bone, wider medially at its sternal articulation and noticeably thinner at its lateral third. The clavicle assumes a gentle s-shape, the medial end convex forward and the lateral end concave forward. The shape resembles musical symbol the clavicula.It is also known as collar bone. Female clavicle is shorter, lighter, thinner, smoother, and less curved than in males . The lateral end of the clavicle is a little below the medial end in females whereas in males, the lateral end is either at the same level or slightly higher than the medial end. Structure of Clavicle Clavicle has two ends medial end and lateral ends and a cylindrical part called the shaft. The lateral end is also called acromial end and is flat from above downwards. It articulates with the acromion process of the scapula through a facet. The articular surface for the acromioclavicular joint gives attachment to the joint capsule. The medial end is called sternal end, is quadrangular in shape. This part articulates with the clavicular notch of the manubrium sterni to form the sternoclavicular joint.

It also articulates with first costal cartilage via extension of the articular surface. The shaft of the clavicle can be divided into the lateral one third and the medial two thirds. The lateral one third of the shaft is flattened from above downwards. It has a concave anterior border and convex posterior border and two surfaces- the superior and inferior . The inferior surface has elevation called the conoid tubercle and a ridge called the trapezoid ridge. The medial two thirds of the shaft of the clavicle is rounded and has four surfaces- Convex antreior, thick posterior, superior and inferior which harbors a longtitudinal groove called subclavian groove in its lateral half. Determination of Side The lateral end is flat, and the medial end is large and quadrilateral. The shaft is slightly curved, so that it is convex forwards in its medial 2/3, and concave forwards in its lateral 1/3. The inferior surface is grooved longitudinally in its middle 1/3. The bulbous medial clavicular end contributes to form sternoclavicular joint. Several ligaments support this joint.

Capsular Ligaments Capsular ligaments are thickenings of the sternoclavicular joint capsule are referred to as the capsular ligaments on anterosuperior and posterior aspects of the capsule. These are responsible for limiting superior displacement of the medial clavicular or, through the clavicular moment arm, inferior displacement of the lateral end of an intact clavicle. The posterior part of the capsule resists both anterior and posterior translation at the sternoclavicular joint. Interclavicular Ligament This ligaments has strong bands that span the medial clavicle to the superior sternum to the contralateral clavicle. The ligament loosens with shoulder elevation and prevents downward displacement of the lateral end of the clavicle. Costoclavicular Ligament These strong ligaments run from the upper aspect of the first rib and adjacent aspects of the sternum to the inferior clavicle. The costoclavicular ligament stabilizes the medial clavicle against both upward and downward rotation, respectively.

Lateral Ligaments Coracoclavicular Ligaments From the base of the coracoid process of the scapula to the inferior aspect of the lateral clavicle are two ligaments called trapezoid and conoid ligaments. Trapezoid ligament is lateral and attaches on a specific osseous ridge, whereas the more medial conoid inserts at the conoid tubercle. These ligaments serve the important function of suspension of the shoulder girdle from the clavicle. Acromioclavicular Ligaments The capsule of the acromioclavicular joint forms the acromioclavicular ligaments. Posterosuperiorly, the ligament serves to resist anteroposterior displacement of the distal clavicle. Musclar Anatomy Medially, the clavicle serves as origin of the pectoralis major and sternohyoid muscles. Superomedial clavicle serves as an origin of the sternocleidomastoid. In a midshaft clavicle fracture, the sternocleidomastoid becomes a medial clavicle elevator. The undersurface of the middle clavicle serves as an insertion point for the subclavius muscle.

Laterally, the anterior clavicle is the site of origin for the anterior deltoid with the posterosuperior clavicle serving as an accessory insertion for the trapezius. Normal Clavicular Functions Strut Function Clavicle is responsible for bracing the shoulder girdle and propping it away from the sternum and thoracic cage. This allows the shoulder to reach into cross-body and internal rotation positions without medial collapse. The clavicle increases the strength of shoulder girdle movements Suspensory Function The shoulder girdle is stabilized against inferior displacement by two mechanisms, one dynamic and one static. Posteriorly, the trapezius acts as a dynamic scapular elevator. Anteriorly, the shoulder girdle hangs from the clavicle by the coracoclavicular ligaments, similar to a sign hanging from a signpost. Broken Collarbone Broken Collarbone By Jonathan Cluett, MD - Reviewed by a board-certified physician. Updated May 09, 2016 The collarbone, also called the clavicle, is the bone over the top of your chest, between your breastbone (sternum) and shoulder blade (scapula).

It is easy to feel the clavicle, because unlike other bones which are covered with muscle, only skin covers a large part of the bone. Clavicle fractures are extremely common. Broken collarbones occur in babies (usually during birth), children and adolescents (because the clavicle does not complete development until the late teens), athletes (because of the risks of being hit or falling), or during many types of accidents and falls. Clavicle fractures account for between 2 and 5% of all fractures. Symptoms of a Broken Collarbone Most often, patients with a clavicle fracture complain of shoulder pain and difficulty moving their arm. Common symptoms of this injury include: Pain over the collarbone Deformity of the collarbone Swelling and bruising around the shoulder. Over time, the bruising may extend down the chest and armpit. Difficulty raising the arm from the side Numbness and tingling can occur down the arm At the doctor's office or in the emergency room, an x-ray will be obtained to assess for the specific type of clavicle fracture. Your doctor will also perform an examination to ensure the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the clavicle are intact.

The nerves and vessels are rarely injured because of a broken collarbone but in severe cases, these associated injuries can occur. Types of Clavicle Fractures Usually, clavicle fractures are separated into three types of injuries depending on the location of the fracture: Mid-Shaft Clavicle Fractures (75%) The most common type of clavicle fracture is in the central third of the bone. These injuries can be a simple crack in the bone, or badly displaced. Particular concerns occur when there are multiple breaks in the bone (segmental fractures), significant displacement (separation), or shortening of the length of the bone. Distal Clavicle Fractures (20%) Distal clavicle fractures occur in close proximity to the end of the collarbone at the shoulder joint. This part of the shoulder is called the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, and distal clavicle fractures often have similar treatment considerations as an AC joint injury . Medial Clavicle Fractures (5%) Medial clavicle fractures are much less common and often have a relationship to injury to the sternoclavicular joint .

One of the last growth plates to close in the body is at the medial end of the clavicle, and therefore, growth plate fractures of the clavicle can be seen into the late teens and early twenties. Treatment of Clavicle Fractures The treatment of a clavicle fracture is accomplished either by allowing the bone to heal, or performing a surgical procedure to restore the proper alignment of the bone and hold it in position. Unlike many other fractures, some common treatments for broken bones are not appropriate for clavicle fractures. Casting a clavicle fracture is not performed. In addition, resetting the bone (called a closed reduction) is not performed because there is no way to hold the bone in alignment without performing surgery.

In making a decision about surgery, some of the following factors may be taken into consideration by your doctor: Location of fracture and degree of displacement of the bone (nondisplaced, or minimally displaced, fractures should be managed without surgery) Other injuries that may have occurred (patients with head injuries or multiple fractures may be treated without surgery) Age of the patient (younger patients have a better ability to recover from fractures without surgery) Expectations of patient (when the injury involves and athlete, heavy laborer, or the dominant extremity, there may be more reason for surgery) Your doctor can have a discussion with you about the pros and cons of surgery. While the vast majority of clavicle fractures can be managed without surgery, there are some situations where surgery may provider a better outcome. Several types of supports are used for a non-surgical treatment of clavicle fractures. These include a sling or figure-of-8 brace. In general, I prefer a sling, as the figure-of-8 brace has not been shown to affect fracture alignment, and patients generally find a sling more comfortable. Healing a Broken Collarbone Clavicle fractures should heal completely within 12 weeks, but the pain usually subsides within a few weeks.

Often patients are back to full activities before 12 weeks has passed, especially with younger patients. Immobilization is seldom needed beyond a few weeks and at that point, light activity and gentle motion can usually begin. As a general guide to return to activities, nothing should cause worsening pain. If not wearing a sling causes pain, wear a sling. If driving hurts the fracture site, don't drive. If throwing a ball hurts, don't throw. Once an activity doesn't cause significant pain, a gradual return can be attempted. Recovery is usually complete, with a full return expected. Patients may notice a persistent bump where the fracture was (often for months or longer), but this should not be bothersome. Sources: Jeray KJ. " Acute Midshaft Clavicular Fracture " J Am Acad Orthop Surg April 2007 vol. 15 no. 4 239-248 Continue Reading What Happens When a Collarbone Breaks? How Can I Prevent a Broken Collarbone? Clavicle fractures -- also called simply broken collarbones -- are a familiar woe to many athletes. Despite the name, the collarbone isn't really in your neck.

Instead, it's one of two long, thin bones that connect the breastbone to your shoulder blades. You can feel or see your collarbones toward the top of your chest, running beneath the top of your shoulders. So how do people get broken collarbones? Usually, it's from an accident. You might get hit or fall on your shoulder. Or you could fall on your hand or arm, and the force of impact is transferred up to the collarbone, which snaps. Clavicle fractures are often associated with bicycle falls. What Does a Broken Collarbone Feel Like? A broken collarbone is usually pretty obvious. You might feel a crack when it happens. Afterward, you will probably have: Pain and swelling Difficulty moving your arm and shoulder A grinding feeling when you try to raise your arm Sagging in your shoulder A bump around the area of the break To diagnose a broken collarbone, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam . You will need X-rays to confirm the break. What's the Treatment for a Broken Collarbone? Usually, a broken collarbone will heal on its own. You just need to give it time.

To help speed the healing, you might need: A splint or brace to keep your shoulder from moving A sling for your arm, which you might use for a few days Anti-inflammatory painkillers, like ibuprofen , naproxen , or aspirin which will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs have side effects, like an increased risk of bleeding and ulcers. They should be used only occasionally unless your doctor specifically says otherwise as they may delay bone healing. Range-of-motion and strengthening exercises In rare cases -- especially when ligaments are damaged -- you may need surgery to mend a collarbone fracture. When Will My Broken Collarbone Feel Better? It might take six to 12 weeks for a broken collarbone to heal. But that's just a rough estimate. People recover at different speeds. You are ready to return to your previous level of physical activity when: You can move your arm and shoulder without any pain. Your doctor has taken an X-ray and confirmed that the break is healed. Remember: don't rush back into your activities too soon. If you start working out before your collarbone is healed, you could break it again. How Can I Prevent a Broken Collarbone?

Collarbone fractures are tough to prevent, since they usually happen during accidental falls. Even the best-trained athletes can slip sometimes. Still, you should always take precautions to exercise safely. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by William Blahd, MD on July 27, 2016 Sources Almost Useless Trivia II Quiz What is the cube root of 64? Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of which country? Name any of the four Gospels of the New Testament. Name the third letter of the Greek alphabet which shares its name with a type of radiation. Which is the only country in the world to begin with the letter Y? Which chemical element has the symbol Na? What is the only mythological animal in the Chinese Zodiac? Name any US President that served between John Adams and John Quincy Adams. What actor appeared in 'The Rock,' 'Leaving Las Vegas,' and 'National Treasure?' There are sixteen of what piece in a standard game of chess? Which author wrote the novel 'The Da Vinci Code'? Which network originally aired the show 'Spongebob Squarepants'? A regulation baseball game is made up of nine sections called what?

Which tennis player won the Wimbledon Men's Singles seven times, the first in 1993? Name either country with the ruble as its currency. Trivia Question Answer The CSI TV series was originally set in Las Vegas. Name either city its spin-offs are in. Which Queen has ruled Britain for the longest period of time? Peter Griffin, Quagmire and Stewie are characters in which animated TV show? The film 'The Social Network' depicts the story of which online social networking site? Which pop artist has had hits such as 'SOS', 'Disturbia' and 'Unfaithful'? Helena is the capital of which US state? Which city hosted the summer Olympic Games in 2000? What is the proper medical name for the collar bone? The Ryder Cup is awarded to countries that compete in what sport? In the Sega videogame, what type of creature is Sonic? Which mountain is the world's highest mountain above sea level? What does the N stand for in the acronym NATO? What is the Spanish word for cat? What is the only country to border Portugal? Which city is the capital city of Kenya?

report this ad The Collarbone’s Connected to Slimness - The New York Times The New York Times Fashion & Style |The Collarbone’s Connected to Slimness Search The Collarbone’s Connected to Slimness By KARA JESELLA Continue reading the main story LET’S say a woman clocked a few hundred crunches a day, Stairmastered her bottom into a replica of J. Lo’s and avoided carbs so assiduously that the waiters at her regular restaurants knew not to bother with a breadbasket. If no one could see results of all of this exertion and deprivation, would it count? That is the conundrum posed by the spring’s most coveted fashion item, dresses that conceal as much as they reveal. At Bergdorf Goodman on a recent Saturday, waifish young women fingered trapeze dresses by designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Vince. A cream-colored Moschino version stood on out from the body of a mannequin like a sphinx, the shoulders and upper chest peeking out of its oblong neck. “We did great with it,” a saleswoman said.

As the rest of women’s bodies recede in spring fashions, the clavicles, or collarbones, and the upper chest between them, is rising to prominence. Toned shoppers who want to show off their self-discipline in the face of dessert are choosing dresses with a low, but not plunging neckline, a look that is transforming the area above the breasts into an unlikely new subject for women to obsess over. Some people think of it as an erogenous zone; others think it is noteworthy only as a barometer of whether a woman is at a healthy weight or has become too skinny. Continue reading the main story “I always want to show off my collarbone,” said Gabriella Morello, a Columbia sophomore who had just finished a class at the Equinox Fitness Club on the Upper East Side that included push-ups, chest presses, flys and other exercises for the upper chest. “I’ll buy clothes to show off that area. You don’t want just the scoop neck, you want the Chloé dress that crosses here,” she said, pointing to her clavicle. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Why the new emphasis on a body part most women — and more men — have paid little attention to in the past?

Credit a swing of the fashion pendulum, and a malaise over “Girls Gone Wild” style. Showing off your clavicle is “the opposite of showing your thong,” said Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Another reason is that prominent clavicles can be a signifier of skinniness. Sharply outlined collarbones say “Don’t let this tent dress fool you: Underneath it all, this girl can fit into a sample size.” “The clothing threatens to make you look overweight and so you need a certain body to undo that threat,” said Virginia Blum, a professor of English at the University of Kentucky, who has written extensively on women and beauty. “In that clothing, one has to find a way of revealing the authentically thin body.” Kacy Duke, a consultant for Equinox, said that when people lose weight, the bones and muscles of the chest area often become more visible. It is also an area whose prominence is unlikely to be enhanced surgically (at least for now). This region has been emphasized by the skinny celebrity acolytes of the stylist Rachel Zoe, including Nicole Richie and Keira Knightley.

Their ubiquitous deep V-neck tops show off sometimes skeletal frames, and other actresses have taken their cue and sized down as well, to the point that the Internet teems with fashion and celebrity bloggers and message board posters carping about protruding A-list clavicles. Photo BARE BONES The well-chiseled clavicle is in. And with that, styles showing deep necklines, like this Moschino dress, are highly coveted by women who brandish their collarbones as a sign of thinness. Credit Tony Cenicola/The New York Times After the Oscars and the Golden Globes this year, bloggers took actresses like Anne Hathaway and Naomi Watts to task for their “scary” and even “knobby” clavicles. When Kate Bosworth recently put on a few pounds, Usmagazine.com heralded the occasion with the headline “Kate’s Clavicle Comes Full Circle.” Advertisement Continue reading the main story Courtney E.

Martin, the author of “Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body” (Free Press, 2007), said that many of the girls and women she interviewed for her book “talked about how far their collarbone stuck out” with pride, as an indicator of their skinniness. Ms. Martin contends that a generation of young women raised after Title IX and the women’s movement pursue slender figures with the same rigor as they pursue admission to an Ivy League university. When Jessica Braff, who works at an advertising agency in New York, lost 15 pounds in her freshmen year of college, the first thing she noticed was that her clavicles were more pronounced. “I loved it,” she said. She continues to wear clothes that show off her collarbones, which she calls the “easiest and least controversial expression of a kind of sex appeal.” Just a few years ago the clavicle and the region around it was considered a kind of anti-erogenous zone. One designer who has long emphasized the region is Consuelo Castiglioni, whose label, Marni, incorporates chest-baring necklines into tops and dresses.

The brand has long been a favorite of women seeking clothing that isn’t expressly made to attract men, including skirts with bustles and tops that flare out to obscure any semblance of a waist. “I think it is clear from my designs that deep cleavages, tight silhouettes, visible tummies or behinds are not part of my aesthetic,” Ms. Castiglioni said in an e-mail message. “What I try to express is elegance and femininity and a more cerebral, hidden sensuality.” Perfect, then, for women who don’t want to look like they are trying to be sexy. Or like they are trying at all. In fact, this most passive-aggressive of body parts — it’s a lot harder to get a protruding clavicle than it looks — is the perfect focus for a generation that, according to a 2003 Duke University study, wants to appear “effortlessly perfect.” Women’s interest in protruding clavicles is reminiscent of their attempts to achieve the Linda Hamilton arms of the early ’90s — a signal to one another that they are superwomen. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Which is why a backlash against the exposed and protruding clavicle is already in effect.

The blogger diaryofamadfashionista has written about “the disturbing rise of the clavicle,” adding, “We women of Rubenesque dimensions must band together and DEMAND that fashion take note of bosoms, buttocks, legs, plump dimpled elbows, and all of those other beautiful touches that make a female, well, female.” Perhaps some men would agree. Suzanne Calo, an elementary school teacher in Hicksville, N.Y., is proud of her “bony clavicles,” especially now that she is pregnant and every other part of her body seems to have become bigger. “That’s my favorite area,” she said. Her husband, Anthony Calo, on the other hand, is ambivalent. “Honey, have you ever said anything about my clavicles?” she called out while on the phone. “You know, my collarbones?” There was a pause. “He shrugged,” she said. A version of this article appears in print on , on Page G2 of the New York edition with the headline: The Collarbone’s Connected To Slimness. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe What’s That Called?

– Dictionary of Body Piercings You are here: Home / Amazing Body Modifications / What’s That Called? – Dictionary of Body Piercings What’s That Called? – Dictionary of Body Piercings August 9, 2011 By lulu 5 Comments This is it everyone; the last installment of the Piercing Dictionary, for now anyways. It’s time for our final segment: body piercings. Although with the advent of dermal piercing, one can be pierced nearly anywhere nowadays, I’ve stuck with the most popular piercings of the body in an attempt to keep it fresh. Enjoy! Navel Piercing or Belly Button Piercing : A single piercing through the upper rim of the navel. Bottom Belly Piercing: Any Piercing directly underneath the belly button or through the lower rim. Hip Piercing: Surface Piercing on or above the hip, generally done on both sides. Nape Piercing: Piercing at the nape of the neck. Vampire Bite or “Vampire’s Kiss” Piercing: a surface piercing anywhere on the side of the neck, so named for its resemblance to a vampire bite, and often worn with red gems to symbolize blood.

Madison Piercing: This is a piercing in the dent just above the collar bone. Much in the style of the Monroe, the Madison was also named for a famous actress: former adult cinema star Madison Stone, who was the first person ever associated with the piercing. Though the traditional style is to pierce with a surface bar or barbell, these are also often seen worn with horseshoe rings . Collar or Clavicle Piercing: One or more surface piercings of the skin across the collar bone (usually one on each side.) Sternum or “Cleavage” Piercing: Any horizontal or vertical surface piercing over the breast bone. Wrist Piercing: A horizontal surface piercing at the back of the wrist. Brace Piercing: When multiple surface piercings are lined up near the wrist or up the forearm. Finger Piercing or “Ring” Piercing: A piercing at the base of a finger or thumb, sometimes called a ring piercing because when done with a single gem-tipped dermal , it mimics the look of a solitaire engagement ring. Hand Web Piercing: This is exactly what it sounds like, a piercing of the thin webs of skin between any of the fingers.

Corset piercing: A set of multiple parallel surface piercings of any shape, often worn with closure rings and laced through with ribbon to mimic the lacing of a corset. Corset piercings started out in the traditional placement at the bottom of the back, but have now evolved to include corsetry almost anywhere on the body. Some popular spots include the backs of the legs, the chest or neck, and the sides of the torso.

Question: What is the correct name for the collar bone
Answer: Clavicle